GENERAL INFORMATION ABOUT ARMENIA FROM A to Z Geographical Information Armenia is located in the southern Caucasus, bordered by Georgia from the north, Azerbaijan from the east, Iran from the south and Turkey from the west. Contemporary Armenia has a territory of 29 800 square km, lying between 1000 and 2500 meters above sea level. The highest peak is mount Aragats (4090m), while the lowest point is Debed River Canyon (400m). Yerevan is the capital and the largest city of Armenia. According to the general census of 2003 the population of Armenia is 3,2 million, 1,1 million of which lives in the capital. Climate and Temperature Armenia is usually referred to as a sunny country. Its climate ranges from dry subtropical to cold. The summers are hot, the temperature fluctuates between +22C to +36C. The winters are short but cold, the temperature is between -15C to -1C. http://www.meteo.am The mountain peaks are covered with eternal snow, while their slopes are lined by alpine meadows. The best time to visit Armenia is spring or autumn. Banking The Armenian banking system consists of 21 commercial banks, which are supervised by the Central Bank of Republic of Armenia. The banks in Yerevan are open from 10 am to 4 pm on week-days and from 10 am to 1 pm on Saturdays. No lunch breaks! The ATMs can be found on all the major streets. Currency Armenian national currency, the Dram, was introduced in November 1993. There are banknotes of 500, 1000, 5000, 20000, 50000 Dram denomination. There are also coins of 10, 50, 100, 200, 500 Dram denomination. Foreign currency (USD, Euro, Canadian Dollar, Japanese Yen, Dutch Guilder, Russian Ruble, etc.) can be exchanged in banks and currency exchange offices throughout the country. The approximate exchange rate is: Buying Selling 1 USD – 305 AMD 1 USD – 309 AMD 1 EUR – 448 AMD 1 EUR – 456 AMD 1 RUB – 12,3 AMD 1 RUB – 12,7 AMD Check the exchange rate at: http://www.cba.am Electricity The electricity in Armenia is 220 volt, 50 Hz. Electric outlets in Armenia use European plugs with 2 round pins. The outlet plug adaptors can be purchased at any electronic shop in Yerevan. Embassies, Consulates of Foreign Countries in RA Canada (Honorary 25/22, Demirchyan Str. Tel: 56 79 03 Consulate) China 12, Baghramyan Ave. Tel: 56 00 67, 56 12 34. E-mail: [email protected] Egypt 6a, Sepouh Str. Tel: 22 67 55, 22 01 17, 27 82 13 E-mail: [email protected] France 8, Lusavorich Str. Tel: 56 11 03, 56 46 67, 58 35 11. E-mail: [email protected]. Georgia 42, Arami Str. Tel: 58 55 11, 56 41 83. E-mail: [email protected] Germany 29, Charents Str. Tel: 52 32 79, Consular Dept. 58 65 91, 52 45 81 E-mail: [email protected] Greece 6, Demirchyan Str. Tel: 53 00 51, Consular Dept. 53 67 54. E-mail: [email protected] Italy 5, Italy Str. Tel: 54 23 35, 54 23 36. E-mail: [email protected]. Iran 1, Budaghyan Str. Tel: 23 29 20, 23 49 83, Consular Dept. 23 49 00 E-mail: [email protected]. Lebanon 1st St., 13/14 Dzoragiugh. Tel: 52 74 63, 54 24 37. E-mail: [email protected] Russia 13a, Lusavorich Str. Tel: Consular Dept. 58 98 43, 56 74 27 E-mail: [email protected]. Syria 14, Baghramyan Ave. Tel: Consular Dept. 52 40 28, 52 40 36. E-mail: [email protected] Ukraine 29th St., 5/1 Arabkir. Tel: 22 97 27, 25 13 83 E-mail: [email protected]. United Kingdom of 34, Baghramyan Ave. Tel: 26 43 01. E-mail: [email protected] Great Britain and Northern Ireland United States of 1 Amerikian Ave. Tel: 46 47 00, 49 46 00 America E-mail: [email protected]. Flights The main air-access to the country is through Zvartnots International airport in Yerevan, which is located about 15 km far from the city center. There are regular flights to and from Yerevan organized by the following companies: Armenian International Airlines, Aeroflot Russian Airlines, Air France, Armavia, Austrian Airlines, British Airways, Czech Airlines, Lufthansa, etc. All these airlines offer connecting flights to every major city in the world. Flights Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday Sunday London - Yerevan 17.00 17.30 17.35 16.00 (British Airways) Yerevan - London 11.20 09.20 10.40 09.05 (British Airways) Tehran - Yerevan 20.00 10.30 (Caspian Airlines) Yerevan - Tehran 22.30 13.00 (Caspian Airlines) Tehran - Yerevan 02.20 02.20 (Armavia) Yerevan - Tehran 23.20 23.20 (Armavia) Istanbul - Yerevan 23.30 23.30 23.30 (Atlasjet Airlines) Yerevan - Istanbul 02.15 02.15 02.15 (Atlasjet Airlines) Dubai - Yerevan 23.25 (Armavia) Yerevan - Dubai 18.50 18.50 (Armavia) Athens - Yerevan 14.30 (Armavia) Yerevan - Athens 06.25 (Armavia) Vienna - Yerevan 01.25 01.25 01.25 01.25 (Austrian Airlines) Yerevan - Vienna 05.45 05.45 05.45 05.45 (Austrian Airlines) Munich - Yerevan 00.15 00.15 00.15 00.15 (Lufthansa) Yerevan - Munich 04.50 04.50 04.50 04.50 (Lufthansa) Amsterdam - Yerevan 18.15 18.15 (Armavia) Yerevan - Amsterdam 08.10 08.10 (Armavia) Paris - Yerevan 16.20 16.20 16.20 (Air France) Yerevan - Paris 09.15 09.15 09.15 (Air France) Paris - Yerevan 15.10 15.10 (Armavia) Yerevan - Paris 05.30 05.30 (Armavia) Moscow - Yerevan 00.05 00.05 00.05 00.05 00.05 00.05 00.05 (Aeroflot) 12.05 12.05 12.05 12.05 12.05 12.05 12.05 Yerevan - Moscow 07.10 07.10 07.10 07.10 07.10 07.10 07.10 (Aeroflot) 16.20 16.20 16.20 16.20 16.20 16.20 16.20 Moscow - Yerevan 12.55 12.55 12.55 12.55 12.55 12.55 12.55 (Sibirian Airlines) Yerevan - Moscow 17.05 17.05 17.05 17.05 17.05 17.05 17.05 (Sibirian Airlines) Moscow - Yerevan 08.00 17.30 08.00 08.00 08.00 17.30 08.00 (Armavia) 14.00 14.00 14.00 14.00 14.00 14.00 14.00 19.00 19.00 19.00 19.00 19.00 19.00 19.00 22.35 22.35 22.35 22.35 Yerevan - Moscow 02.15 02.15 02.15 02.15 02.15 02.15 02.15 (Armavia) 09.45 09.45 09.45 09.45 09.45 09.45 09.45 14.35 14.35 14.35 14.35 14.35 14.35 14.35 18.10 17.00 18.10 18.10 18.10 18.10 Aleppo -Yerevan 21.00 (Syrian Arab Airlines) Yerevan - Aleppo 23.30 (Syrian Arab Airlines) Aleppo - Yerevan 02.35 (Armavia) Yerevan - Aleppo 23.25 (Armavia) Prague - Yerevan 00.40 00.40 00.40 (Czech Airlines) Yerevan - Prague 05.10 05.10 05.10 (Czech Airlines) Holidays Armenians celebrate both public and religious holidays. The celebrations here are usually accompanied with joyful songs and traditional circle dances. Usually all stores are open on holidays and Saturdays. Most of the shops and supermarkets are open on Sundays, too. Language The official language is Armenian, a separate branch of Indo-European family. The written characters are very unique and are not similar to any other alphabets. However most of the shops and official buildings are also marked with Latin-letter signboards. Besides Armenian, nearly everyone speaks Russian here, and many can communicate in English, too. Meals The traditional Armenian cuisine has a large variety of richly flavored dishes. Fresh vegetable and meat is considered to be the most favorite food in Armenia. No Armenian celebratory table can be imagined without the most favorite barbecue, kyufta, dolma or ghapama. There is also a traditional dish called khash, which foresees a great ritual, starting from its preparatory process till the last moment at the table. The numerous restaurants in Yerevan offer authentic local food. There are also many restaurants serving the dishes of different world-known cuisines. Post Office The post offices in Armenia have regular working timetable from 9 am to 7 pm. Sunday is a day- off. One of the central post offices is located at the Republic Square opposite the Government building. Public Transportation The following means of public transportation are available in Armenia: Metro: Yerevan subway system has one line stretching from the north to the Railroad Station in the southern edge of the city. There are 10 stations. The fare is 50 AMD ($0.11). Buses: There are buses running in major directions. The fare is 70 AMD. Minibuses: These small vans seating 12-15 people are available everywhere in the city. They run until late at night. The fare is 100 AMD ($0,22). Taxi Services: There are many taxi services, which accept orders by phone. They offer very clean, comfortable cars with polite and skillful drivers. The fare varies from 70 AMD ($0.22) to 100 AMD ($0.18) per km. Regular taxi: There are taxi stands at major and busy intersections. Fares are subject to negotiation. Religion Armenians accepted Christianity as a state religion in 301 AD. The religion is deeply rooted in Armenia. Most ethnic Armenians belong to the Armenian Apostolic Orthodox church. The head of the church is the Catholicos of All Armenians, who resides in Holy Echmiadzin. Telephone Calls The country code is 374, Yerevan city code is 10. Outgoing international calls can be made by dialing: - 00 followed by the country, city code and the number - 107 and ordering an operator-assisted call.